Relief for mobile users! Spoof international calls showing up as Indian numbers to be blocked now

Relief from hoax international calls: The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and mobile operators have developed a system to identify and block spoof international calls that appear as Indian numbers. This initiative aims to provide relief to mobile users who have been receiving such calls from cyber criminals impersonating police officials, courier company workers, and even DoT and Trai officials.

These hoax international calls originate from outside the country, but cyber criminals manipulate the calling line identity (CLI) to make them appear as if they are originating within India.

According to an ET report, the DoT has instructed telecom carriers to block these calls. The department has said that fraudsters are making international spoofed calls displaying Indian mobile numbers to commit cyber-crime and financial fraud.

"These calls appear to be originating within India but being made by cyber-criminals from abroad by manipulating the CLI. Such international spoofed calls have been misused in recent cases of fake digital arrests, FedEx scams, drugs/narcotics in courier (shipments), impersonation as government and police officials, disconnections of mobile numbers by DoT/Trai officials, etc," DoT said in a statement.

Following numerous complaints, DoT and telecom service providers (TSPs) have developed a system to identify and block these incoming international spoofed calls from reaching any Indian telecom subscriber.

"Now directions have been issued to the TSPs for blocking of such incoming international spoofed calls," DoT said.

Incoming international spoofed calls with Indian landline numbers have already been blocked by TSPs following DoT's directions.

As the safety and security of users are integral to the government's Digital India vision, the DoT has undertaken various initiatives, including the citizen-centric Sanchar Saathi portal, to protect telecom users.

"Despite best efforts, there may still be some fraudsters who succeed through other means," DoT said, adding that consumers can report such calls at the Chakshu facility on Sanchar Saathi.

The department is also utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) analysis through various modules like Sanchar Saathi and Chakshu to clamp down on fraudulent connections.

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